LITCHFIELD >> When J.P. Simoncelli looks back on 25 years practicing general dentistry on the Litchfield Green, he’s got one theme — gratitude.

“I just want to say ‘thanks’ to my patients for being with us for 25 years and allowing me to have this life,” Simoncelli said from his office at 34 East St.

Over the years, he’s watched his patients grow — from children to teens and adults. He’s welcomed them into his care and into his home, shared stories about kids’ antics, summer vacations and pets. Along the way, even those who started as strangers have become like family, he said.

“I grew up here in Litchfield. A lot of my patients are friends, family and acquaintances,” he said. “And over the years, they’ve all become friends.”

Simoncelli was born in Litchfield but after dental school, worked for a few years in Torrington with another dentist. When the dentist told him to leave, Simoncelli wasn’t sure where to go. That’s when fate stepped in.

“I knew an orthodontist in town who rented me some space here and this house came on the market,” Simoncelli said of the house on East Street. “It was already zoned for a dental office, so we thought it was perfect. We got one mortgate for the office and the house.”

The house has afforded Simoncelli and his family several benefits. First, it gave his office — and patients having work done — a picturesque view of the First Congregational Church of Litchfield. And it allowed him to be both home and at work.

“When my daughter was a baby, I could just go in the house and see her,” he said. “I could bring her out with me and show her off to the patients and just be part of her life.”

Courtney, who is now looking for colleges, grew up in the office.

“I’m grateful we were fortunate enough to find this. It sits right on the green. We had just gotten married and it happened to be for sale,” Simoncelli said.

He worked for 10 years with just one employee and one dental chair. Eventually, he added another chair and another assistant, but Simoncelli refuses to do change the way he does things.

“I’m always on time. If you’re late, I don’t think that’s respectful to the patients,” Simoncelli said of the waiting that can characterize busier offices.

He also does all the cleanings himself. That gives him a chance to do a thorough examination as he cleans, he said.

“I pride myself on being on time and devoting time to talk with patients,” Simoncelli said. “I’m still accepting new patients, but I’m never going to get to the point where I can’t do that.”

Looking back, the past 25 years have been very smooth, his wife Patty said.

The only rough spot, Simoncelli said, was one brief period of rapid staff turnover before the business found Jen Hauck, who joined Simoncelli as an assistant 13 years ago. Shelby Fiore joined them more recently.

Together, there’s never a dull day and they try to have fun.

“We do have fun. You have to find a balance with having fun and lightening up,” Hauck said. “Some people like joking around because it puts them at ease, but we’re focused on what we have to do.”

For more information about J.P. Simoncelli, DDS, call 860-567-3838 or visit jpdentist.com.